Australia: Yeldarb gets in light Monday at Wagga Wagga

A massive break in the weights from his last start makes Yeldarb an attractive favorite in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Wagga Wagga Racecourse in Australia on Monday.

Yeldarb won a handicap at about six furlongs at Wangaratta Racecourse on June 21 as the 141-pound highweight. The win marked the end of a 12-race losing streak and was the 6-year-old gelding’s sixth win in 34 starts.

Yeldarb was helped that day by the presence of apprentice jockey Hannah Williams, who claims 6.6 pounds, or three kilograms. The same weight break is in effect at Wagga Wagga on Monday, reducing Yeldarb’s assignment to 127.8 pounds.

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Trained by Dan McCarthy, Yeldarb closed from fourth in a field of 10 to win by 1 3/4 lengths at Wangaratta. Yeldarb has had two excellent performances in his last three starts, including a loss by a nose in a five-furlong handicap at Albury in May.

Monday’s race at Wagga Wagga drew a full field of 13. Yeldarb breaks from post 3, which should suit his stalking style.

Topweight Up Trumpz (134.4 pounds) and contender Mad As Zariz (121 pounds) have strong recent form.

Up Trumpz has been third in his last two starts in more lucrative, much tougher races at Warwick Farm and Rosehill Gardens, two leading racetracks in the Sydney area. Up Trumpz has won 3 of 7 starts at Wagga Wagga in his career.

Mad As Zariz was second by a length in a seven-furlong handicap at Wagga Wagga on June 4, setting the pace before losing his advantage late. Mad As Zariz raced near the front and won a handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic track at Canberra Racecourse on May 21.

Wagga Wagga has a 10-race program beginning at 9:20 p.m., Eastern, or 6:20 p.m., Pacific, on Sunday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.